Victor Wembanyama on Friday had 28 points and made two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to push the San Antonio Spurs over the Portland Trail Blazers 118-116.
Jerami Grant made a layup to tie the game at 116 with 6.1 seconds to go, but he fouled Wembanyama, who sealed the win at the charity stripe.
The Blazers led by as many as 17 points in the final period, but San Antonio tied the game at 109 on a Jeremy Sochan free throw before Julian Champagnie’s three-pointer gave the Spurs the lead with 2 minutes, 8 seconds left.
Photo: Rob Gray / Imagn Images
The Spurs had only had 11 available players because of injuries and lost veteran guard Chris Paul in the first half after he picked up two technical fouls.
San Antonio led 52-42 at the half, but Grant pulled the Blazers even at 60 with a three-pointer midway through the third quarter.
The Blazers went into the fourth quarter ahead 88-80 and led 105-88 with 8 minutes, 18 seconds remaining.
Photo: AFP
Grant finished with 32 points, including 22 in the third quarter, and Anfernee Simons had 30 for the Blazers. Devin Vassell had 23 off the bench for the Spurs.
In Salt Lake City, Devin Booker put up a game-high 34 points, while Kevin Durant returned from an injury absence to score 30, lifting the Phoenix Suns to a 134-126 win over the Utah Jazz.
Tyus Jones added 19 points and 11 assists and former Jazz forward Royce O’Neale chipped in with 17 points as the Suns snapped a three-game skid.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ 76ers 107, Pacers 121
‧ Bulls 109, Hornets 95
‧ Cavaliers 115, Wizards 105
‧ Grizzlies 135, Nets 119
‧ Nuggets 120, Clippers 98
‧ Timberwolves 97, Lakers 87
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